The Villa Rosa Kempinski where people buy paintings worth KSh 500,000

- Kenyan elite art lovers met at the Villa Rosa Kempinski for an art auction on Saturday, April 30

- One art piece went for KSh 500,000 with part of the proceeds being set aside for the conservation of Elephants in Kenya

Bob Collymore's wife, Wambui Kamiru joined a special audience at the Villa Rosa Kempisnki on Saturday, 30th April. It was an exclusive, hushed, invite-only event that meant to bring art lovers together. In the audience was music maestro, Joseph Hellon and his band. Rapper Octopizzo, TV host Nonny Gathoni and others who braved the rains to be part of the event.

Prior to the event, a host of talented artists had spent countless hours, painting, cajoling and polishing pieces in readiness for the big day. When the day finally came , no one was disappointed. On that evening, one art piece was bought for KSh 500,000!

In the lineup of some of the artists who were part of the event was Collins Okelo, famously renowned for sketching Presidents' Uhuru Kenyatta and Barack Obama portraits.

The unique feel in the art auction event was the fact that art lovers were taken through what it took to complete individual pieces.Part of proceeds from the sale will go to Wild Aid which is tasked with the conservation of elephants.

Some of the art pieces which were on display at the Wasanii Jukwaani held at the Villa Rosa Kempinski. Image by Irari Ngugi

An art piece at the auction. One piece at the event was sold to a bidder who acquired it for a whooping 500,000. Image by Irari Ngugi

Villa Rosa Kempinski also hosts an international Arts Exhibition dubbed Circle Art. However, the hotel felt that Kenya has amazing artists that needed a platform to showcase their skill and talent. The aim of this exhibition is to showcase Kenyan talent and to expose these artists to an ideal market.

Wasanii Jukwaani intends to have a different theme every year, to support a cause. The artists will be free to work out of the theme so that they can be free to showcase their best.